Is installing a new motherboard hard to do?

[joojoomonster]

I have a new system coming on Friday in parts... I can assemble everything but I've never installed a motherboard before from scratch... Is there anything special that needs to be done afterwards other than installing drivers?

Here's what I have coming:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157628
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117561
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233775

 

[jbseven]

If you know how to install the hardware, then all that remains is to reinstall windows. You can boot up existing windows (7 and up) and install the new drivers but in my experience the pc is absolutely sluggish when you take this route.

 

[Calculagator]

It's not particularly difficult, but there are a lot of things to plug in. Anything that gets left out can keep the entire system from turning on.
I recommend that you plug everything in to the motherboard while it is sitting on its box or a piece of cardboard to see if everything turns on before actually screwing it into the case. It does take extra time, but it is much easier to test and tinker with things before you put it into a case.

 

[jbseven]

Some pointers for installing the hardware:

1. Make sure you've installed the correct mb standoffs- the screws that hold the motherboard (asrock boards usually have stickers at the back saying no standoff here)
2. insert cpu (look for the arrow on the cpu and the cpu socket).
3. Make sure ram is firmly socketed (socket configurations will be in manual). It is easy to improperly socket the ram, leading to headaches later but try not to use undue force.
4. make sure to connect the cpu 12v 4/8 pin cable from psu.
5. make sure to connect graphics card power input connectors.
6. make sure you get the + and - of the system headers (like power switch) right.
7. a pc speaker is very helpful in these early stages with beep codes defined in the manual.
8. some asrock boards take an eternity on first boot to configure the ram so don't panic as long as you don't hear beep codes and the above steps have been thoroughly checked.